Means for altering the trim of marine craft.



No. 688,398. Patented nec. lo, 190|. w. A. DODGE.

MEANS FOR ALTERING THE TRIM 0F MARINE CRAFT.

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UNITED 'STATES' PATENT ('Iurrcri.

WILLIAM A. DODGE, OF FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS.

MEANS FOR ALTI-:mue THE TmM OF ,MARINE CRAFT.

sPEorFIoATIoN forming para of Letters :patent No. 688,398, dated neember 1o, 1901. Application filed May 3l, 1901. Serial No. 62,573. (No modela) vto make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and yto the figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

The invention relates to marine craft, and

'particularly to submarine boats, though it is applicable to vessels of all kinds.

The Object of the invention is to provide means for quickly altering the trim of such craft either abeam Orv fore-and-aft, or both. It is Well known that some such device is very desirable on many kinds of vessels, but especially in submarine boats, Where the possibility of maintaining a course on a given level vdepends largely upon the ability to preserve an even trim of the hull.

My invention consists of two or more standpipes erected at the sides or ends (or both) of the vessel, those at the sides being connected by tubes and likewise those at the ends, the pipes and tubes being partially filled with some heavy liquid substance, preferably mercury. By means of suitable piping iiuidpressure can be admitted above the mercury in any given stand-pipe, thereby forcing the mercury through the tube or tubes into the opposite stand-pipe, and thus weighting down that end or side of the vessel, and consequently altering its trim.

- The accompanying drawings illustrate diagrammatically the application of my inven-r tion to a submarine boat.

Figure l is a-longitudinal elevation, and Fig. 2 a transverse elevation. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of one ofthe three-way valves.

rIhe stand-pipes are shown as four in number 1 2 3 4, though any desired number may be used, They may be straight or curved and are placed as close to the ends .and sides of the hull as practicable and consist of stron g metallic pipes of sufficient size to contain a considerable quantity of mercury 5. This is preferably prevented from undue fluctuation by a oat or piston 6, sliding freely in the pipe and resting on the mercury. Filling-noz'- zles 7 are provided for introducing the Inercnry and vent-cocks 8 for drawing it oif when required. The lower ends of opposite standpipes, as land 2 and 3 and 4,' are connected by tubes 9, which are preferably provided with zigzag or spiral portions l0 in Orderito retard the iiow of the mercury and prevent it from' shifting too suddenly.

At some convenient point in the vessel is located a source of fluid-supply 11, such as a steam-boiler or a compressed-air tank or hy# draulic reservoir.V From this runs a pipe 12, controlledV by a stop-cock 13 and divided into two or more branches .14 15; Eachvbranch is controlled by a stop-valve 16 17 and is itself divided into branches 18 19 and 2O 21, running, respectively, to the upper ends of the stand-pipes 1 2 3 4 and each provided with a three-Way valve 22 23 24 25. The construe; tion of these valves is shown in Fig. 3 and permits one to either admit fluid-pressure to the standpipe or exhaust it therefromvat will. All the valves are grouped near each other in some convenient place, such as the con'- ning-tower.

The operation is` as follows: Suppose all the valves to be open with equal duid-pressure on the mercury in all the stand-pipes. The mercury under these conditions Will stand at the same level in all the stand-pipes. If now, for instance, the vessel gets too much down by the head, the operator turns the valve 22, shutting OE the Huid-supply and permitting the duid-pressure in the pipe 1S to escape. The excess of pressure in the stand-pipe 2 at once drives the mercury aft through the pipe 9 to the after standpipe 1, where its additional weight brings down the stern of the boat and restores her to an even keel. same Way any undue careening is corrected by forcing mercury from the lower to the upper side of the boat. When the trim has been restored, the equality of fluid-pressure in all the stand-pipes is restored by opening the valves.

If desired, the pipes may be placed Outside the hull, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

In the IOO Having thus described my invention, what i l. Means for altering the trim of a marine pipes', a) mass of lIea'Vy liquid in said pipesl craft,consisting of two stand-pipes near oppoand tube, loose pistons in said pipes resting site portions of the hull, a tube connect-ing on said liquid, and means for forcing the liqsaid stand-pipes and provided with zigzag or uid from one pipe to the other.

5 spiral portions, a mass of heavy liquid in said In testimony whereof I aix my signature I5 pipes and tubes, and means for forcing said in presence of two witnesses.

liquid from one stand-pipe to the other. WILLIAM A. DODGE.

2. Means for altering the trim of a marine Witnesses: craft, consisting of stand-pipes at opposite DOROTHY E. DODGE,

xo points of lthe hull, a tube connecting said ARBA N. LINCOLN. 

